The City of Ketchum needs to hear from you, vendors and customers, as it is considering moving the location of the Ketchum Farmers’ Market for the next season. The WRFM Board encourages all stakeholders to contact the mayor and councilors, and voice your opinion respectfully and constructively. The Ketchum Council will then be able to make a decision considering the interests of all residents and visitors.
See our sample letter.
Contact information posted on the City of Ketchum website:
Mayor Nina Jonas: njonas@ketchumidaho.org
Council President Michael David: mdavid@ketchumidaho.org
Councilor Anne Corrock: acorrock@ketchumidaho.org
Councilor Baird Gourlay: bgourlay@ketchumidaho.org
Councilor Jim Slanetz: jslanetz@ketchumidaho.org
City Hall Address: P.O. Box 2315, 480 East Ave. N., Ketchum ID 83340
Phone: 208-726-3841
I have been a vendor at the Ketchum Farmer’s Market for four years and I have come to see the Market as more than a vending place. People come to the market to see friends, learn about a sustainable lifestyle and network with community members of like minds. They also come tor an enjoyable outing, satisfied that they are supporting local agriculture, chefs and crafts makers. From my booth, I see families, people of all ages and pocketbook sizes, and lots of visitors. I see merchants and workers from nearby businesses, who may only have a few minutes to snatch up some dinner material and these folks really do appreciate the convenience of the current location. The Farmer’s Market has become an important social crossroads and a tourist attraction.
The Market is vital to the heartbeat of downtown Ketchum and inseparable from it. If the market is moved to a remote part of Ketchum as has been proposed, it will wither. Vendors who can no longer sustain themselves from sales, will drop out. It will take years for another location to “take” and an important part of the flavor of Ketchum will be lost.
The City of Ketchum has worked hard, and spent much money, to develop a vibrant downtown. Why now start lopping off important contributions to that liveliness and spirit? I know that many neighbor businesses do support, and feel that they financially benefit from, the market days. Please, if you support keeping the Farmer’s Market in downtown Ketchum, speak up to the mayor and City Council. Don’t let only the naysayers’ opinions count.